Fri 1 Jun 2007
I’m a critic, a skeptic, a gay man, a libertarian, a progressive, a student, an atheist, a capitalist, a Sigma Chi, a councillor, a board member, a director, a committee member, a Canadian, and much more (in no specific order). These are all labels, each describe a part of me, but none alone define me. Some are hats I wear for a few hours, some are more integral to my life and may not be expressed outwardly. I take pride in each of my labels as they contribute to my whole. I recently went on a read trip to Washington D.C. and one of my fellow travelers didn’t believe in labels. To me, I’m glad to know my identity and be proud of each of my labels that I have given to myself.
Some labels I was born with (e.g. Canadian), some I worked hard for (e.g. board member) some just came to me over time (e.g. gay man) and some come from years of thought, education and research on my part (e.g. critic, skeptic, libertarian, progressive, atheist, capitalist). Some I paid for (e.g. student - which I worked out is about $25/hour of lecture). Some are rewarding (e.g. Director of Genius Bowl - voted best EngSoc event of the term) and others cause constant grief (e.g. gay atheist - according to surveys are one of the least trusted minority groups). Nevertheless, these labels are mine and I live with them and cherish each one.
I put a great deal of thought into what actually contribute to my secular morality and ethics. I came down to three axiomatic items, Liberty, Education, and Noninterventionism. Instead of explaining what there mean exactly to me I invite my readers to interpret them in their own way. I have my own moral system and know my own beliefs, but I hope that you will reevaluate your own. Remember though: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” - George Orwell
A few random additions: Waterloo has been named the world’s top Intelligent Community for 2007, I’m into interviews for co-op and currently have had one for GM, and one for Honda and WEEF TA coming up soon. Going to be busy especially with a virus I’ve picked up.
Currently listening to: Paralyzer - Finger Eleven
Random Wikipedia Article: Atlas Shrugged
December 9th, 2007 at 6:42 am
You wrote:
I’m a critic, a skeptic, a gay man, a libertarian, a progressive, a student, an atheist, a capitalist, a Sigma Chi, a councillor, a board member, a director, a committee member, a Canadian, and much more (in no specific order).
Reply: I’m a critic, a skeptic and believer, a Christian, a straight and married man, a partial Libertarian and partial progressive Conservative, an AB and an on-going student of life/philosopher, a theist/Deist, a capitalist, a conciliator, a bored mumbler (else this reply wouldn’t exist), a deflector (of unwarranted anything), a committed member (of humanity), an American and many other things, pro and con.
As is clear, we are very different people with some similitude.
I was looking up info on Paralyzed and ran across your entry. Paralyzed has a good sound, but is quite shallow in content.
That aside, I cannot figure out why you posted your posting. Just felt like communicating?
Bored and wondering,
I.F. (pseudonym, FYI)
December 9th, 2007 at 10:50 am
The post originated from a conversation I had with some fellow students over labels and identity. I can understand how the purpose may elude people who were not part of that conversation, that of pointing out that labels are not a bad thing if self applied. I post many opinions on my site not with the expectation that everyone out there is the audience, but that maybe they will be of interest to someone outside my core group of readers, such as yourself.